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Road Closures April – May

Road Closures April – May

Road Closures Map April-May 2015
Map showing locations of closures

The following information about a number of road closures / traffic controls has been received from Heathlands Primary although will impact others as well – on verifying details on the Essex Highways website at 6pm on Friday 17th April (click link to check current status), each is considered to be of high impact with delays likely – it is usual for such works to maintain access for residents at all times although (Ed.  speaking from personal experience), the route might sometimes be circuitous and bumpy.

  • New Church Road scheduled to start on 20th April – 1st May.  It is unlikely to be possible to park on New Church Road for dropping off and collecting children near the school.
  • B1508 opposite Garthwood Close from 22nd – 24th April for carriageway patching.
  • Lexden Road in the Scout Hut area from 20th – 24th April.
  • Cooks Hall Road  and Chapel Road from 24th April – 2nd May.
  • School Lane from 1st – 13th May.
  • Newbridge Hill from 5th – 11th May.
  • Chapel Lane and Whitehouse Lane from 5th – 15th May.
  • Hall Road from 5th – 29th May.
  • Chitts Hill from 11th – 18th May.
Road Closures April-May 2015
Red indicates High Impact – delays likely and Amber, Medium Impact – delays possible

 

The car park at the Orpen Hall should still be accessible although it is likely to be busy.

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Part Time Job Vacancy – RCCE

RCCE logoPart Time Job Vacancy – RCCE

Partnerships Officer
Circa £24,000 pro rata for 2 days/week (£9,600)

Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE) is a leading charity working in Essex for over 85 years.  RCCE is looking for a motivated and organised individual with proven excellent administration skills to assist in supporting its partnership work on a part time basis.

The successful applicant will produce detailed minutes for the Essex Rural Partnership and support other areas of partnership work, including arranging events, communications with partners and implementing actions to deliver the Essex Rural Strategy.  They will be confident communicating with people at all levels and enthusiastic about rural communities.

To apply for this post you must complete and submit an application form and an equality monitoring form.  These forms can be downloaded and completed in MSWord format, or downloaded and printed in pdf format to be completed by hand.  All are available at http://www.essexrcc.org.uk/Working_for_us/Partnerships_Officer.aspx or can be requested to be posted in hard copy.

Application deadline: 10.00am Wednesday 22nd April

Interviews: Thursday 30th April

Contact: 01376 574 335 or www.essexrcc.org.uk

RCCE registered charity no 1097009  Registered company no 4609624

For any queries relating to the post or application process, please call 01376 574 330.

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Hay fever advice from local doctors

Blossom - guaranteed to bring a smile unless you have hay fever
Brings a smile unless you have hay fever

Hay fever advice from local doctors

The onset of spring with the sunshine and blossoming trees may brighten up some peoples’ lives, for others it means the start of hay fever misery.

The condition, which affects around one in four people nationally, is an allergy to pollen and usually results in sneezing, blocked noses or itchy eyes.

Local GP, Dr Gary Sweeney who is also Chair of the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

Normally around this time of the year, when the weather starts to warm up, more and more of us start experiencing hay fever symptoms. This is when different pollens start to grow which can affect people’s daily lives as well as interfere with their sleep.

However help is at hand through your local pharmacist who can recommend a range of treatment to reduce symptoms including nasal sprays, eye drops and tablets. There are also herbal remedies which are also available over the counter or from chemists.

But the condition can be more serious for some people – particularly those with long term conditions such as asthma.  Dr Sweeney added:

People with these conditions should be very careful about what they take to treat hay fever and if they feel the condition is getting worse, they should consult with their GP.

There are some measures we can take to alleviate some of the symptoms.

  • Stay tuned to broadcast pollen count updates,
  • Staying indoors when the pollen count is very high and keep windows,
  • Avoid gardening or cutting grass.

The Self Care Forum was founded in 2011 by doctors, nurses and patients’ organisations to provide information and advice for common conditions, long-term conditions and healthy living.  Fact sheets and symptom check lists to help people become more expert in preventing and managing health conditions at www.selfcareforum.org.  Its hay fever guide is at http://www.selfcareforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/hayfever.pdf.

NHS online advice about hay fever is at http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Hay-fever/Pages/Introduction.aspx.

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Neighbourhood Plan Exhibition & Consultation

Exhibition of the West Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan project

Neighbourhood Plan Exhibition & Consultation

How will West Bergholt change over the next 20 years?

LeafletVisit the Neighbourhood Plan exhibition at the Orpen Hall, on Saturdays 11th and 18th April 11am to 4pm, to find out how the Neighbourhood Plan Group would respond to this question; refreshments will be available.  But the Neighbourhood Plan Group really need your views as well and are looking for a response from as many people as possible.  It takes about 20 minutes to view the exhibition, if you want to discuss any of the proposals, members of the steering group will be available.

Do you like their suggestions? If not, tell them why? THIS IS YOUR CHANCE, TO HAVE YOUR SAY.

Find out more on our website at:

 

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Celebration of Words & Music

The Bevington Organ in St Mary’s Old Church

Celebration of Words & Music

The Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are presenting a Celebration of Words & Music in the historic building of St Mary’s Old Church.  The Victorian hand pumped organ made by Bevington and Sons will be played by Tom Cogan (former Director of Music at Holmwood House School), and there will be readings by local actors. Tickets £7.50, under 16’s free.  Refreshments will be available after the concert.  All proceeds from this concert, which is on Saturday 9th May (6pm start), will go towards the upkeep of the Old Church and churchyard.  We look forward to welcoming you to this community event.

For more information and to buy tickets please call Jane Lloyd 01206 240167, Teresa Morris 01206 241878, Gill and Mike Poole 01206 240512.

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Notice of Local Elections 2015

Election-2015Notice of Local Elections 2015

The Electoral services Officer of Colchester Borough Council has issued two notices of elections inviting nominations for:

  • West Bergholt Parish Councillors (up to 11)
  • Borough Councillor for West Bergholt & Eight Ash Green (1)

Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer by no later than 4pm on Thursday 9th April 2015, for any contested seats, the poll will take place on Thursday 7th May 2015.

For full details, including those relating to applications for postal or proxy votes, please read the official notices:

Any enquiries about these can be made to:

Electoral Services Officer, Colchester Borough Council
Rowan House, 33 Sheepen Road, Colchester, CO3 3WG
Tel. 01206 282235

 

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Holy Week 2015

Easter crosses for Holy week 2015Holy Week 2015

As we approach Easter there are a lot of services taking place in West Bergholt during Holy Week leading up to Easter and of course for Easter itself.  Services will be taking pace in both the Methodist and St Mary’as Churches, those we are aware of to date are:

Methodist

At the Methodist Church the following services are taking place, all to be led by Rev Ruth Ridge:-

  • Friday 3 April  – Good Friday -11.00am service.
  • Saturday 4 April  – 8.00pm a short reflective service.
  • Sunday 5 April  – Easter Day  – 11.00am service with Holy Communion.

St Mary’s

  • Sunday 29 March – Palm Sunday – 9.30am Joint Holy Communion Service.
  • Thursday 2 April – Maundy Thursday – 8pm Passover Meal and Communion Service. Please could you let Dorothy Chadborn know if you would like to come so that she knows how many to cook for (there is a list in church or you can phone her on 240541).
  • Saturday 4 April – Family Fun Easter Eggstravaganza – 10-12 noon – there will lots of activities for Children and their parents to enjoy, including a prayer station.
  • Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday – 9.30am Family Holy Communion Service led by Rev Mandy Elmes.

Colchester Service

Friday 3 April  – Good Friday at the Mercury Theatre – @ 7.30pm – A time to reflect through music and word, led by the Bishop of Colchester, Rt Rev Roger Morris

Everyone is welcome to any or all (!) of the above services.

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Environment & Highways – 12th March 2015

The Environment & Highways  Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 12th March 2015 when they discussed a range of issues including village handymen, beacon, potholes, dog poo and footways.

Environment & Highways Report

Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 12th March 2015 in John Lampon Hall

Councillors present  Harry Stone, Jenny Church, Phil Walby, Rosemary James
Apologies  Rachel Howard, Murray Harlow.

 

1 Village Handyman
Road signs have been cleaned by Steve. Harry has held a Performance review with Steve.Ivor is arranging to cut the hedge at the Methodist Church. HS
2 Traffic Safety Plan
All proposed yellow lines and road signs and 20mph limits have been signed off. The yellow lines apparently will be done in April and the speed limit signage in July.
3 Potholes
Potholes and surface problems in Chitts Hill highlighted. Ask for resurfacing in the future.Potholes and surfacing in New Church Road needs attention.Hall Road problems have been somewhat alleviated by hedging and ditching. Potholes need attention. The road leading up to the Old Church would benefit from the sweeper. HS
5 Dog fouling
A dog bin has been ordered for the Brewery site. An item for the March Bulletin has been sent in encouraging dog walkers to help keep the village clean.Phil will meet with Marcus and the dog warden on Friday 13th to discuss problems. PW
6 Beacon
Steve is arranging for a pole to be bought and the sign will be placed near the Village sign at the area adjacent to junction of Chapel Road and Colchester Road. Ivor to be asked to assist Steve with transporting beacon to the site. Brian Butcher to monitor site for placement. HS  & BB
7 Areas of work in village
Agreed to produce a map showing sites of our responsibility in the village. HS
8 Footways in village
A resident has proposed that a footway along the Nayland Road would make it safer for children walking to school. It seems unlikely that money will be available for this as a project.
9 Grit spreader
Although the grit spreader has not been required for snow clearance this year, it is not functioning efficiently. Harry to contact Tuckwells for solving the problem. HS
Date of next meeting – to be notified
 

 

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Premises & Recreation – 12th March 2015

The Premises & Recreation Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 12th March when they discussed a range of issues affecting Orpen Hall & playing fields such as Orpen Players, Play equipment, football club and puppy training.

Premises & Recreation Report

Sub-committee meeting held on Thursday 12th March 2015 at the John Lampon Hall

Councillors present Phil Walby, Jenny Church, Rosemary James
Apologies Rachel Howard, Murray Harlow

Victoria Beckwith Cole in attendance.

1 Orpen Hall
a)     Locking chairs in main hall – still a bit of a problem – Phil to contact the suppliers. PW
b)     Hall cleaning. Deep cleaning of JL Hall to be carried out in Easter holidays. Vicky to discuss with Mike for quote. VBC
c)     Security lights at 4 corners of hall to be changed to LED.  Vicky has contacted the suppliers and this will be carried out on the 16th over a 2 day period. VBC
d)     A table top sale has been held in the Hall. Organiser will remove the adverts around the village next week. VBC
e)     A Meeting has been held with Orpen Players. Good discussion of issues. Hire cost increase for hall agreed for coming year. PW
f)      Meeting to be arranged with Bluebells to discuss issues and hire costs for coming year. PW
2 Play equipment
Quotes have been requested from “Play Equip” for repairs. Ivor to make repairs to seats etc. in Easter holidays PW
3 Film night
This planning will be on hold until May/June. Phil will arrange to discuss with Bernard about the project. PW
4 Football club
The club wishes to buy a mower. Proposal to be discussed at Finance sub-committee re financial assistance from PC. PW
5 Annual Report
Phil has prepared the annual report for this sub-committee – agreed by those present.
6 Puppy training in hall.
Some members expressed concern that this was held in the Hall where children are playing at other times. Phil said that the hall was always left clean.
7 Walls in JL Hall
The walls have been marked and scratched where the tables are pushed against the wall. Proposed to buy appropriate colour paint to cover these over. PW
8 Kitchen cutlery
Teaspoons are missing from the kitchen!! Vicky has put up notice in the kitchen to try to initiate their return. None returned yet.
Date of next meeting – to be notified
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Women’s Institute March 2015 Update

WI-logoWI – March 2015 Meeting

Pots, Wellbeing & Gemstones

The president welcomed two visitors and following the business, Susan Leng, handed over the meeting to Roberta Bown who chaired the ‘Member’s Meeting’.  This gave the committee an opportunity to sit back and relax.   Potted plants were presented to them with grateful thanks for all their hard work.

Heather Payne was the speaker, her subject entitled ‘Well Being’.  She also brought along many crystals and explained how they may help people.  Members enjoyed hot cross buns with their tea/coffee.

Social time involved members splitting into groups to make up a verse with a card relating to a gemstone.  The competition was an egg cup with a large variety of styles ranging from china to wood.  A grand raffle followed.

Susan thanked Roberta and her committee for an enjoyable evening.